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November 07, 1999

POLITICAL 'TOONS

Now that the dust from the local elections has settled, it's time to get serious about the national race. And what could prepare us better for this quadrennial political circus than a few keen-eyed swipes of the pen by Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Patrick Oliphant. "Seven Presidents: The Art of Oliphant," which runs at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia through Jan. 9, features dozens of images exploring the follies and foibles of America's power elite, including this portrait of Vice President and Democratic presidential hopeful Al Gore. And the artist himself will appear at the CACV 5:30-8 p.m. Friday to meet the public and autograph his books. The reception is open to the public free of charge, but admission to the exhibits is $3 adults, $2 students. For more information, call the CACV at 245-0000 or visit its Web site at www.cacv.org.

- Mark St. John Erickson

PIECES OF 8

Eight voices producing fresh contemporary sounds add up to the unique delivery of Pieces of 8. The St. Louis vocal group performs jazz, pop, gospel and soul in original music or arrangements by founder Charles Mead. Catch them at 8 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Hampton. Tickets are available by calling 722-2787.